my life in the land down under

The sewing machine I’ve been using for the last year belonged to my husband’s late wife, and had been held ‘in trust’ for my step-daughter. Recently she asked if she could have it, as she has developed an interest in sewing. Kelly N., I look forward to seeing your first creations. :-)

Although sad to lose the machine – as I still have a way to go on my first quilt top, and a number of other projects in mind – I had only myself to blame for not making more progress on the quilt over the last few months.

‘The Old’ – Bernina 830

What I didn’t know at the time was that a lovely new machine was in store for me. When we knew the Bernina was going to a new home we started looking for a likely replacement, starting with the local Spotlight store and Bernina dealer, doing some research online and finally checking out a number of different makes & models at the Quilt & Craft Show in Hamilton last weekend. An interesting process during which we learnt what accessories we wanted / needed for quilting and decided what the budget would allow. We made an order at the show on Friday and collected the machine from our local Brother dealer the following Tuesday afternoon.

For the benefit of quilters reading this, it comes complete with a number of quilting-related presser feet, including a 1/4″ foot for piecing and a walking foot for machine quilting. It also has some ‘luxury’ (to me!) features such as automatic needle threading and automatic thread trimming, not to mention multiple embroidery stitches most of which I may never use. I feel very spoilt!

‘The New’ – Brother NV 600

What’s that saying about needing to let go of something to receive something better ?! Now I just have to learn how to drive it… hence the Operation Manual in this photo. ;-)

With the same motivation I referred to in my previous post, I have also completed Block #12 – the final block of the Wildcraft Farm ‘Made with Love’ quilt.

The stitched word on the original pattern was ‘admire’ ; I replaced it with ‘friendship’, something my other half and I both agree is a necessity for a good marriage. We have shared interests and enjoy doing things together. I also appreciate having someone to debrief to when I’ve had a difficult day at work, or need a sounding board and some wise advice, and hopefully I can be as good a friend to him. :-)

Block #12 appliqué and stitchery

Block #12 appliquéd flower and hearts

Word

The last block (#12) ‘on the drawing board’ – cut and ready for sewing together

A couple of weeks ago, with the added motivation of losing the Bernina sewing machine to it’s rightful owner at the end of the week, I finally completed the Made With Love quilt block #11. Amazing how a deadline can lead to action…

I’m making an attempt to catch up on blog posts, which have been few and far between recently. This one is from back in March.

About twenty members of our camera club met in a local cafe on Saturday 23rd March for the third GOYA outing (the second I have attended). After coffee and some social time, we were given the topic for the day (‘Yellow’), and had the rest of the day to photograph it however we wanted to. See here for an explanation of GOYA itself.

There was plenty of material to choose from.

Yellow walls…

Being creative with some multiple exposures in the garden…

Some discoveries in a nearby ‘two-dollar’ shop…

A school sign…

Tanks with spiral stairs…

Reflections at the marina…

And my entry (unplaced this time), which I called ‘Bargain Hunting Colours’ as it was taken outside the Briscoes store.

This week I completed Block #10 of the Made with Love quilt. Again, its been several months since the last block was completed. I only have two to go now, and have purchased the remainder of the fabric needed to complete the top.

The original words on this block were ‘Warmth’ and ‘Fancy’ – I have replaced them with ‘Patience’ and ‘Kindness'; two more qualities necessary for a strong marriage, or in fact any good relationship . :-)

Block #10 appliqué and stitchery

Appliquéd flower

Words of the week (?!)

Block #10 – centre part completed

Block #10 with borders

Complete with squaring-up borders

On 9th May WordPress notified me that I’d reached an important date – the first anniversary of this blog. Thanks to all who read and follow – I appreciate your support! :-)